Opening times

Visit Us

We want to make your trip to Seascope as rewarding as possible. We are a unique establishment and the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland. We have lots to see with access to our hatchery, you will be able to see firsthand what we do and how we do it. You will be able to see all the baby lobsters and how we feed them.

We also have our resident lobster for everyone to view. We also display a wealth of information on lobsters and other marine animals of interest to our hatchery as well as the fishing industry and the importance of research and improving sustainability. There is also a wide range of interactive activities for all ages and something to interest everyone. Our staff are very knowledgeable and would love to answer any of your questions as well as making your time here worthwhile as possible.

Educational and Group bookings

At Seascope we encourage all ages to come and learn more about marine animals such as lobsters and oysters and their importance of supporting local fisheries,how hatcheries are becoming more significant within our economy and the importance of the fishing industry in Northern Ireland.We welcome all levels from preschool to university students and the general public.We offer guided talks to schools and colleges, groups as well as interactive tours of our working hatchery and the opportunity to see aquaculture techniques being implemented.

Our lobster and marine hatchery research centre is the only marine laboratory in Northern Ireland open to the public. As well as seeing firsthand the operation of a working marine hatchery, you will have opportunity to learn about our ongoing innovative research taking place in partnership with Queens University, Belfast.Children can also learn about the wider marine environment and the importance of hatcheries and sustainability within our society today. We also have many different interactive activities for the children to take part in as well as having some fun with arts and crafts.

Our educational programmes are aimed at encouraging a wider thinking and awareness of the importance of the fishing industry and sustaining the marine environment in Northern Ireland and the significance of carrying out innovative research in order to develop and support marine species for the future.

Information for teachers:

Why not make a day of it whilst visiting us at Seascope.You could start your day by visiting the Nautilus Centre which provides the opportunity for children to learn about the local fishing and maritime heritage as well as the history of Kilkeel harbour and the local fishing community.There is also the Mourne Maritime centre which enables children to gain some insight into the history of the Mourne area and its significance.

You can then also pay a visitto the RNLI Lifeboat house and get a guided talk and tour. There is plenty to do in the areas as well as just admiring the harbour and Northern Ireland’s largest fishing fleet.

This is just an example itinerary as times are flexible depending on what suits each group.

Other activities in the area

Kilkeel and the wider Mourne area has so much to offer, it is also renowned for its thriving fishing industry, which can be experienced through a visit to the harbour. It is home to one of the largest and best equipped fishing fleets in Ireland, with fresh fish available to buy.

The Nautilus Centre and Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about the local fishing and maritime heritage, see how nets and boats are mended and also learn about the local catch, which is mainly king prawns. There is also a cookery school, The Mourne Seafood Cookery School where you can come and learn how to cook the fantastic local seafood so completing the story from catch to plate.

Kilkeel is the seafood capital of the Mournes and offers a wide variety of activities, for example Kilkeel Leisure Centre and swimming pool, play park, Kilkeel championship 18 hole golf club, and the stunning Silent Valley reservoir which is just three miles from Kilkeel.Kilkeel harbour and the Mourne Mountains there is lots to do for a family day out.Kilkeel harbour is a lively, bustling fishing harbour with lots of boats and equipment to be observed.There a
re also the local celebrities living in the harbour, ‘salt and pepper’ our resident seals can be seen from time to time. Our location, right beside the harbour and access to the nearby beaches combined with our first class facilities, our lobster hatchery is an ideal place for an interesting, fun day out.There is also award winning ‘Fish and Chips’ available if you have worked up an appetite, along with an excellent range of independent crafts, boutiques and local produce.